At The Races

INGLEBY ARCH boasts a terrific record on this surface and comes into this in fine form following a good second here last week. Successful in two of his last four starts, he is the confident selection to add another victory to his name today and can see off the challenge of Cape Of Storms, successful at Wolverhampton latest. Punching is another who acts well here but Pilgrim Dancer looks up against it.

• Top Tip: INGLEBY ARCH (2)
• Watch out for: CAPE OF STORMS (1)

SAMASANA showed a really good attitude when knuckling down to beat First Bid over 7f here last week and the Redback filly should prove a tough nut to crack again. A C&D winner over the reopposing Pelican Rock on her penultimate start, she looks to be going from strength to strength now and Tony Hamilton gets on particularly well with her. The consistent J J Learly shouldn't be too far away again and makes up the shortlist, along with Pelican Rock.

• Top Tip: SAMASANA (1)
• Watch out for: J J LEARY (4)

Given the current form of the Mark Johnston stable, Authentication can be expected to improve from his debut effort. However, he has nearly 12 lengths to make up on COTTON TRADER from that Wolverhampton meeting and the latter has since confirmed his wellbeing with a narrow second at Lingfield. One of these races looks to be his for the taking and he has been found a decent opening today. Artisan can fill the third spot.

• Top Tip: COTTON TRADER (3)
• Watch out for: AUTHENTICATION (2)

LA ESTRELLA has been wonderfully campaigned by Don Cantillon and chalked up his eighteenth success under Rules when sauntering home at Wolverhampton last month. The 9-y-o boasts a particularly impressive record at this venue and should be able to prove too strong for Halla San, who struggled badly in a 'bumper for jumpers' here earlier in the month. More than capable on his day, he could well bounce back to form, while Chookie Hamilton, although badly treated at these weights, should give his running.

• Top Tip: LA ESTRELLA (1)
• Watch out for: HALLA SAN (2)

BRUNELLO was made to work hard for his C&D success last month but the 4-y-o always looked to be doing enough and is fancied to supplement those gains today. The selection is forced to shoulder a 6lb penalty for that victory but is able to sneak into this 0-60 event off top-weight and should prove too strong for the in-form Mister Frosty and Spartan King.

• Top Tip: BRUNELLO (1)
• Watch out for: MISTER FROSTY (4)

Despite having to concede stacks of weight to all three of her rivals, BUBBLY BALLERINA should prove a class apart and is the confidently selection. Alan Bailey's 3-y-o landed a decent nursery in September and although well held at Lingfield in December, she won't need to be in top form to take this contest. Bella Ophelia won a weak maiden here last month and should continue to progress with Reve Du Jour and Ishiamiracle both coming into this in good form but needing to improve to trouble the selection.

• Top Tip: BUBBLY BALLERINA (1)
• Watch out for: BELLA OPHELIA (2)

D'Urberville has a good record on this surface but he hasn't been at his best in two starts since returning from an absence of over a year and he remains one to tread carefully. Rock Anthem is another with a little bit to prove having failed to fire at Kempton last time, while General Tufto isn't one for maximum faith. In a trappy affair, the most solid option might prove to be ST OSWALD, who ran well against higher-rated rivals in a decent seller here last time and has proved largely consistent over the winter months.

• Top Tip: ST OSWALD (3)
• Watch out for: D'URBERVILLE (2)